My Friend Brandi, An Honorary CrazyDogMama

Brandi does not own a pet store nor run an animal shelter, she just has 4 German Shepherds and 3 cats.  Going to Costco with her is amusing. :-)  All the dog/cat food weighs more than she does.

An intellectual? Really?

I took this test thingy (my intellectualness coming out here) and this was the result:

YOU ARE STRIVING TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE

You are an intellectual: As a leader, you're often ahead of your time. As an employee, you try to surpass the competence level of peers, even managers. Incisive and curious, you're driven to deeply understand how things work. But that's things, not people. Oh, your family and friends are important; it's just that you don't need to spend hours engaging with them. Social validation isn't your goal—you're secure enough in your cerebral pursuits.

When you can't find a way to be the expert, you may withdraw or simply withhold information. If you feel yourself retreating into your own world, seek a friend's help to pull you back. Also balance your cerebral tendencies through physical activities.

You discover who you are meant to be through accumulating insight and knowledge. So follow your curiosity. Are you drawn to learning Mandarin? Joining a philosophy society? Delving into the complexities of computer programming? Pursuits that place you near the leading edge of technology, science, psychology, academia, or business are good bets. But any situation that allows you to work independently with freedom to investigate and innovate will fuel your drive. Don't feel pressured to run the company or lead the project; you may be even more effective as someone's right hand. And you'll likely find working with other people more meaningful than flying solo.

Life will have meaning for you as long as you feel stimulated. That might mean chasing twisters, exploring the polar ice caps, getting a degree in dance therapy, or becoming an astronaut. It might also mean reading new books, attending workshops, or letting yourself get swept up in an intoxicating romance. As a risk-lover with a lot of energy, you're a natural entrepreneur. You'll be happiest if you change jobs every so often and travel extensively. Movement is what keeps you going.

What a Week

I had to leave work early yesterday, because in mid-sentence with some co-workers, my whole body went red and I started getting welts everywhere. Allergic reaction! To what? I have no idea and neither does anyone else. My heart started beating super-fast, I hurled twice, took some Benadryl and did 90 on the freeway home. I wasn't about to pay a $100 copay for the stupid emergency room. I have an epi-pen if stop breathing. I'm fine now.

My moms are out doing something tonight, and my friend Lisa is coming over in a few minutes. We are going to make chicken enchiladas, margaritas and watch a horror movie. I turned the pool heater on this morning, but I don't know if it will be warm enough by tonight. It was down to 60 degrees, and I like 85.  Probably won't be ready until tomorrow. And that's it. That's all. Big whoop.

My 4-Day Weekend

I've become paralyzingly boring. Seriously. Friday, I slept, watched a little TV and ate dinner out with moms. Saturday, I went to an eye appointment, got tires for my SUV, then ended up taking it to the shop for new brakes, rotors, shocks and a new front left hub bearing and ate dinner with moms. Sunday, I slept.  Monday, I went to a doctor appointment, read, slept and watched TV. End of story. Pathetic. My vehicle is not yet ready, so I am working from home tomorrow, plus Maggie is going the vet again. Tell me again how this happened. I used to be fun. My blog is even boring. Shit. Kill me.

An Unexpected Valentine

Driving home from work my phone chimed. Joe. "Happy Valentine's Day, Cheryl." He always remembers me on holidays. All holidays. It made me smile. More than I thought it would.

We ended up talking for most of the night. I'm not sure I understand. If there is anything to understand.  Will somebody please help me with this? We never really had an "official" relationship, but we said many sweet things to each other. We didn't really "break up" either, life just happened, and we seemed to drift apart with our busy schedules and distance (he lives over an hour away). I think about him often, and apparently, he thinks of me too. Normally (in my experience anyway) if a man decides he doesn't want to date you, you never hear from him again. I make it easy for them and give them a hassle-free escape, if that is what they want. But Joe always contacts me on special days without any prompting.

I suppose I will just enjoy it for what it is. But it is perplexing to me. On Thanksgiving when I heard from him, he said this, "Hope you and your mom have a wonderful Thanksgiving, I am very blessed and thankful for my family, friends and meeting the most extraordinary people (that would be you). I hope you know how special you are."  Guys don't talk like that. Of course, Joe is the one my mother likes. Go figure. I don't know. I truly resolve to know nothing here. Life is strange. Men are even stranger.

Happy VD

Wanna be mine?

I'm going to get in trouble for this.

My mom. She weighs about 100 pounds. We went out to Mexican food last night and she had two sangrias. Which knocked her on her ass. As we were driving off in the car, she exclaimed "Wheeeeee!" I suggested we go get some coffee. I ordered a mocha. The barista asked, "Hot or Cold?" I said "Hot." My mother then blurted out "I want an iced latte, HOT!" Gotta love her. LOL!

A Late Date, Mortgage-Free, and What I'm Reading

I saw John last night for the first time in a while. We had a really good time, went to our favorite dive bar and I rolled into my driveway at 5:07 am this morning. I kind of backed away a little before as things were getting a little serious, and he needed to concentrate on his business, but he started emailing me and texting me again a few weeks ago and I couldn't help but say yes to seeing him. Missed his lips! LOL.  But it's all good, we actually have a lot in common and spent most of the wee hours of the morning talking. How I love that.

Here is the big news, I'm mortgage free! Actually, I'm completely debt-free for the first time in my life! House in WA finally closed, truck is paid off, credit cards are paid off and I make more salary now than I ever thought possible. I'm in heaven! Ah, how things change. And I worked my ass off for it. 

John still paid for drinks, though, gotta love him. :-)

Got up around 2:30 pm today. (Well, hey, I got home at 5 am.) Then I made an espresso and have been reading. I'm currently reading "The Leopard" by Jo Nesbo, and it is sooooo good! I'm all cuddled up with Mags because it is freezing. Yes, I'm freezing at 60 degrees, shut it. We even have the heat on in the house, and I'm still cold. I'm an official California weather-weenie now.

Oh Holy Hell!

So, my LinkedIn account just sent EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON who has EVER emailed me an invitation to connect. So yes, that includes my ex, old boyfriends and every creep I've dated in the last two years.  Oh, Jesus God please help me. I'm sorry everyone who just got bombarded. You can link me back of course if you still like me. LOL! How embarrassing. Life certainly is interesting when technology goes berserk.

Wancakes and The Excavator

I had the bright idea this morning to make waffles with my handy dandy waffle iron. I thought I had waffle mix. I did not. My mom said, "Just use Bisquick, it's the same thing". For the record, NOT TRUE. I also thought it would be a great idea to put chocolate chips in the batter as well as substitute vegetable oil with coconut oil (which is the cure for cancer I'm convinced, but I'll save that for another blog). Let's just say my intentions were well meant.

I followed the recipe on the back of the Bisquick box. Looked good, smelled good. Poured the batter onto the waffle iron grid. Nice and thick, perfect! Lid down. I watched the batter ooze out over the sides and onto the counter (I could hear my mother's head exploding) and went about making the bacon. A few minutes later, I raised up the lid excited to see my waffle creation. It looked like someone had vomited up flies. Sooo not what a waffle should look like. OK, well, shit. I got the Bisquick box back out and noticed that the only difference between waffles and pancakes was 1 egg. Cool. I put another egg in my batter and got out the pancake pan. I pushed the waffle iron aside.

I brought out a nice plate of pancakes with butter and syrup accompanied by crisp bacon out to Ma. She was nice and ate one, but the look on her face resembled that of a 6-year-old who desperately wanted to spit the broccoli back out onto to their plate and go back outside and play, but if they did, they would be punished and sent to their room. She excused herself from the table and spent the next hour cleaning my waffle iron mumbling something about going OUT for dinner. Okay, so it wasn't my best culinary moment. Bisquick blows.

Dinner at Claim Jumper. Cath, Ma and I went out for a tasty meal. Afterward, we all ordered dessert. I had the mini English toffee cake (yum!) and Cath and Ma split an eclair. I laughed because both of them are skimpy eaters, and the damn thing was the size of a watermelon. Watching them share it was, how should I say this, like watching the female version of "Grumpy Old Men". My mom went right for the custard inside with a spoon, as Cath just forked off pieces at her end. By the time they got to the middle I watched Cath's brow furrow as she tilted her head sideways with a WTF look and exclaimed, "You excavated all the custard out!" The only thing missing was a comma and the word "asshole" after that sentence. LOL! They bantered back and forth about it for several minutes. It was better than Comedy Central, I tell ya.

And that was my excitement for the weekend. There was NO FOOTBALL at our house. I read most of the day instead.

I love answering questions.

1. Would you rather be an Olympic athlete or win American Idol?

Olympic athlete. The only thing I hate more than “American Idol” is “Desperate Housewives”.

2. If you could live in any US city, which would it be?

You know, I like right where I’m at! Although I’m sure once I start doing more traveling, I will fall in love with other US cities. I really want to go to New Orleans this year. I really enjoyed NY, but I wouldn't want to live there more than a year.

3. What was the first blog you ever read?

Skwigg!

4. What was your favorite CD in 7th grade?

They did not have CD’s when I was in the 7th grade. :-/

5. Mac or PC?

PC

6. Who was your first kiss?

Eric. I met him at church camp in 9th grade. He was a rocker with LONG hair. LOL

7. Sandwich or salad?

Sandwich. Big one.

8. Country music or rap?

Country

9. If you had no restraints (time, money, etc.), is there something different you would do with your life at this moment?
 
I would go adopt a bunch of dogs from rescue and hire someone to clean up poop and wash out crates.
 
10. Who was the last person you talked with on the phone?
 
Jenny. We are trying to figure out a way to go to Hawaii in April or May!
 
11. The last movie you saw in the theater?
 
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
 
12. Something you are ashamed of.
 
My last ping pong game at work. Maybe that's what's wrong with my wrist.